Online Safety for Children

The following are a few tips you can teach your children about online safety:

NEVER give out personal information unless a parent says it’s okay. This includes your name, address, phone number, age, race, school name or location, or friends’ names.

NEVER send photos.

NEVER share passwords, even with friends.

NEVER meet a friend in person that you only know online unless a parent says it’s okay. It’s best if a parent goes along, and it’s best to meet in a public place. (Older teens that may choose not to tell a parent and go alone should at least go with a friend and meet in a public place.)

NEVER respond to messages that make you feel uncomfortable or hurt your feelings. Ignore these messages, stop all communication, and tell a parent or another adult you trust right away.

Parents, this could happen to anyone. Even straight-A students who never get into trouble can fall victim to a child predator. They’re kids, and they trust everyone. Teaching your kids street smarts is essential. Child predators treat sexual assaults as a job. They have one goal. The grooming process begins with a bond online. The predator knows what to say and how to say it. Remember, they are only judged by the text they write. They are patient. Child predators don’t care if it takes a year to build a bond.